Syracuse got as close as 7-3 late in the first quarter but its offense ran into a buzzsaw also known as the UConn defense, and the offensive line, with Jordan Todman running behind it, was effective and wearing again.

The Huskies have now won three in a row after thumping Syracuse 23-6 Saturday before 41,146 at the Carrier Dome.

UConn (6-4, 3-2 Big East) became bowl eligible, winning on the road for the first time in five tries this season.

Syracuse is 7-4, 4-3. The Huskies and West Virginia are tied for second behind Pitt (4-1).

"We accomplished the two goals we came here to get and that was to stay in the hunt for the league title and we got bowl eligible," UConn coach Randy Edsall said.

Todman (27 carries, 130 yards) scored on runs of 1 and 2 yards, Dave Teggart kicked three field goals (35, 35 and 21), and Kendall Reyes and Scott Lutrus were terrific on defense.

Though Teggart's last field goal provided the margin of victory, it was Trevardo Williams' recovery of a Ryan Nassib fumble deep in Syracuse territory that really swung the game.

Twyon Martin pressured Nassib, and Reyes had the hit that led to Williams' recovery and Todman's 2-yard touchdown that put Huskies up by 11, 17-6, with 4:41 left in the third.

"I give that one to Twyon," said Reyes, who also had an interception. "I just ran at him."

UConn accepted the gift at the Syracuse 4. The Orange then jumped offside, moving Todman and the Huskies two yards closer.

"I was on the pass rush and I saw Kendall on the outside," Williams said. "He stripped the ball, so I saw the fumble coming and my first thought was stop, drop and roll — just kidding. No, just dive on it. Nobody was diving on it trying to get it or anything, guys weren't going after it, so I did."

The Huskies had offered up something nice for the Orange earlier.

Nick Williams had not shown any cases of fumble-itis in a game (practice is another story) but he lost the handle on one early in the third quarter at the UConn 30.

The Orange took advantage, though barely. They got a 35-yard field goal from Ross Krautman, his second of the game but Syracuse had the same problem UConn did — putting the ball in the end zone with someone carrying the thing.

UConn led 10-6 with 8:21 left in the third after the kick.

UConn only had a 10-3 lead at halftime but it seemed much larger. The Huskies moved the ball when they wanted and stopped the Orange when they needed to. UConn gained 146 total yards in 31 plays in the first half.

The Orange were holding onto the ball (15:37) in the first half but it seemed like that's all they were doing.

Todman gained 75 yards in the first half, averaging a healthy five yards a carry. Zach Frazer was 10 of 14 for 76 yards. Not the most productive of first halves in the air but Frazer looked comfortable and his receivers were consistent at making catches.

Yards after the catch have been and still remain an issue.

UConn pushed its lead to seven on a 35-yard field goal by Teggart. Interestingly enough, Teggart just missed a 49-yarder minutes earlier. He had another shot soon because after he missed the long kick, three plays later, Huskies defensive tackle Kendall Reyes picked off a deflection at the Syracuse 38.

The Huskies moved the ball to the Syracuse 18 but Robbie Frey dropped a pass on third-and-4, leading to Teggart's successful field goal.

The Orange responded to the Huskies long opening scoring drive with a nine-play drive that ended with a 42-yard Krautman field goal with 2 seconds left in the quarter.

UConn led after 7-3 after one.

The Huskies marched 80 yards in 11 plays to score on their first possession. Todman was the workhorse and got the score from a yard out on third-and-goal with 5:16 left. And the no-huddle looked mighty fine as did the tempo.

After pretty much being counted out of the Big East picture, the Huskies have won three in a row.

"I think it's the personality of myself and I think it's … hey when you got your backs against the wall you better come out swinging and it's what's I've tried to do all my life," Edsall said. "That's what Ive tried to instill in these young men: 'Hey, don't let anybody count you out. You just got to keep fighting.'"